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July 21 trial start in football player's slaying

07/01/2014, 9:19pm EDT

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

July 21 trial start scheduled for 2 men in slaying of Eastern Michigan football player Reed

Trial in EMU murder begins July 21

FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2014 file photo, Ed Thomas walks past Kristopher Pratt as he enters the courtroom for their preliminary hearing at District Court in Pittsfield Township, Mich. Pratt, 19 and Thomas, 20 are accused in the fatal shooting of Demarius

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Two Detroit men charged in the fatal shooting of Eastern Michigan University football player Demarius Reed are set to go to trial starting July 21.

The 20-year-old wide receiver from Chicago was killed Oct. 18 at his off-campus apartment building in Ypsilanti. Police say Reed’s wallet and cellphone were taken.

Twenty-year-year-old Kristopher Pratt and 21-year-old Ed Thomas are expected to have separate juries at their trial in Washtenaw County Trial Court.

At a hearing today, Judge Donald E. Shelton said there are no plea negotiations underway.

Both defendants face open murder and armed robbery charges. Defense lawyers say there isn’t enough evidence that their clients committed the crimes.